Homemade Air Freshener Recipes Putting the D(IY) In Deodorizing

Phthalates, VOCs, and formaldehyde are just some of the harmful ingredients you’ll find and these are linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and indoor air pollution which is related to a whole host of other concerns you definitely wouldn’t want to risk in your own home.

That’s a big reason why we use our own DIY air freshener recipes. And they’re all totally natural, safe, non-toxic, incredibly budget-friendly, and super easy to make. So, if you want a quick room spray, a long-lasting gel, or a powerful baking soda deodorizer, keep scrolling.

Oh and you can customize the scent to your preference with your favorite essential oils, making your home smell exactly the way you love!

This homemade air freshener spray is so good at refreshing rooms, upholstery, or linens in an instant. It super cheap to make (we get into the savings towards the bottom of the article), completely customizable (you choose the essential oil blend you like), and only contains 3 simple ingredients (2 of which) you probably already have in the cupboard.

The addition of vodka or rubbing alcohol might seem a bit strange but it actually helps the scent disperse evenly while also acting as a natural disinfectant, which helps neutralize odors and freshens up the air.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol or plain vodka: Helps the essential oils disperse and evaporate quickly.
• 20 drops essential oil (e.g., lavender, citrus, or peppermint): Provides a pleasant fragrance and additional benefits such as relaxation or odor neutralization. And you can add or reduce the number of drops depending on how potent you want the scent to be (or how smelly your room / linens are!).
• 1 cup water: Acts as the base to dilute the mixture.

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a clean spray bottle.
2. Shake well to mix.
3. Spray into the air or onto linens for an instant freshness boost.

Once you’re finished, simply spray the scented mist into the air to freshen any room or onto any linens for a lasting scent. It’s also great for deodorizing trash cans, shoes, and pet areas too—just avoid spraying directly on pets. Just remember to shake the solution before use to mix the essential oils, and store in a cool, dark place to keep the scent potent.

If you’re looking for a long lasting DIY air freshener to keep your home smelling fresh, ditch the Glade plug-ins, and try this set-and-forget recipe instead. It’s perfect for placing in the bathroom, kitchen, and other odor-intensive areas of the house.

It does take a little more time and effort to make than our first recipe (but will save you time and money in the long run), but it can still be done in 10 minutes or less with the following.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin: Thickens the mixture into a gel form. Note, gelatin is an animal byproduct so this is NOT vegan. You can also use vegan substitutes such as algae-based Agar Agar Powder.
• 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt: Acts as a preservative to prevent mold.
• 10 drops essential oils
• Dried flowers or other botanicals (optional): Adds aesthetic appeal.
• Small jar with vented lid: We recommend using canning lids and punching holes in the flat metal insert.
• 1/2 cup water: The base for the gel mixture.

Instructions:

1. Heat 1/2 cup of water and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the gelatin and stir until fully dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly but not solidify.
4. Stir in essential oils and any optional additives like food coloring or dried flowers.
5. Pour into an 8-ounce mason jar and secure with a vented lid.

Once crafted, place the jar in the room or space you want and enjoy the scent for up to two weeks, after which you can simply reheat the mixture and add some more essential oils to refresh its scent.

If you like the idea of something that passively absorbs odors, but aren’t too keen on the idea of using gelatin—or simply want a recipe that uses ingredients you won’t have to go intentionally buy—this homemade air freshener in a jar is the one for you.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup baking soda: Absorbs and neutralizes odors.
• 10 drops essential oils: Adds a refreshing scent and enhances odor control.
• Dried botanicals (optional): Including things like lavender buds provides an additional layer of fragrance and aesthetic charm.
• Mason jar with ring top: A squatter, wider mason jar is preferable to taller, marrow-mouth ones as it allows for more odor absorption and scent distribution.
• 4×4-inch fabric scrap: Allows airflow while keeping the baking soda contained.

Instructions:

1. Combine the baking soda, essential oils, and dried botanicals (if using) in a mason jar.
2. Place the fabric over the jar’s opening and secure it with the ring top. You can also glue it directly to the ring top for added stability, but this isn’t necessary.
3. Shake the jar gently to refresh the scent as needed.

Then simply place the non-toxic air freshener jar in your bathroom or any room that needs a bit of odor control. Over time, you may notice the scent loses strength, but this recipe tends to maintain scent for longer than the gel formula, with the added benefit of the baking soda continuing to neutralize bad odors even when the essential oils lose their smell.

One of the major reasons we make our own natural cleaning recipes (including air fresheners) is the cost savings. Buying store-bought options can add up quickly—especially if you’re refreshing multiple rooms on the regular. Making your own homemade air freshener is not only natural and safe alternative but also significantly cheaper.

Below we’ve run the numbers of the costs of making each of the 3 DIY air freshener recipes versus the average store-bought price to illustrate how much you’ll actually save.

1. DIY Air Freshener Spray (Per 8 oz batch)

• Water – Free
• Vodka or Rubbing Alcohol (2 tbsp) – $0.10 (From a $10 bottle, ~50 uses)
• Essential Oils (20 drops) – $0.75 (From a $10 bottle, ~300 drops)

Total Cost per Batch: $0.85

2. DIY Gel Air Freshener (Per 8 oz batch)

• Water (1/2 cup) – Free
• Unflavored Gelatin (1 tbsp) – $0.20 (From a $3 box, ~75 uses)
• Table Salt (1.5 tsp) – $0.05 (From a $1 container, ~100 uses)
• Essential Oils (10 drops) – $0.50 (From a $10 bottle, ~300 drops)
• Dried Flowers or Botanicals (Optional) – ~$0.20 (Varies based on source)

Total Cost per Batch: $0.75

3. DIY Baking Soda Air Freshener (Per 8 oz batch)

• Baking Soda (1/2 cup) – $0.10 (From a $1 box, ~10 uses)
• Essential Oils (10 drops) – $0.50 (From a $10 bottle, ~300 drops)
• Dried Botanicals (Optional) – ~$0.20 (Varies based on source)

Total Cost per Batch: $0.60

4. Store-Bought Air Fresheners

For our cost comparison, we looked at popular store-bought air fresheners, like Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Refills ($5.99 for a two-pack), Febreze Air Mist ($3.99 for an 8.8 oz spray), and the Air Wick Essential Mist Diffuser Kit ($11.99 with a refill).

These products are certainly convenient but are way more expensive than our DIY alternatives. All of which cost less than $1 to make, so compared to Febreze ($3.99 per bottle), it is 78.7% less, saving you $37.68 per year if you use 1 bottle per month. Against Air Wick Essential Mist ($11.99 per bottle), the homemade version is 92.91% cheaper, which is $133.68 in annual savings. That’s a big cut in costs while avoiding synthetic chemicals and unnecessary packaging!

Beyond the huge savings, and as we mentioned above, traditional store-bought air fresheners often contain harmful chemicals that are not good for your health and the environment. Here’s what you’re avoiding by making your own air freshener:

• Synthetic Fragrances: These often contain undisclosed chemicals that can trigger allergies and asthma. A 2017 study found that over a third of people report adverse effects from synthetic fragrance products.
• Phthalates: These chemicals are not only inherent to synthetic fragrances but often used to make fragrances last longer. However, phthalates are known endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive issues and developmental problems in children.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Air fresheners release VOCs, which contribute to indoor air pollution and can cause respiratory issues, headaches, and dizziness. Prolonged exposure may lead to more serious health concerns, including liver and kidney damage.
• Formaldehyde: Some products release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

Beyond that, consider that many air fresheners are in spray form. Aerosol sprays contain propellants that release greenhouse gases and contribute to ozone layer depletion. According to NASA, aerosols have “a profound impact on the climate because, just like greenhouse gases, they are able to change the Earth’s “radiative”, or energy, balance”.